Japanese university startups develop AI robot arms for delicate tasks

A Real Touch robot holds a piece of sushi. (Photo by Anna Sato)ANNA SATOJuly 28, 2026 07:01 JSTOSAKA -- Startups based out of Japanese universities are working to commercialize physical artificial intelligence by developing technologies that let robots grasp objects with human-like flexibility, attracting the attention of companies like Toyota Motor with their potential to save labor. OSAKA -- Startups based out of Japanese universities are working to commercialize physical artificial intelligence by developing technologies that let robots grasp objects with human-like flexibility, attracting the attention of companies like Toyota Motor with their potential to save labor.

OSAKA -- Startups based out of Japanese universities are working to commercialize physical artificial intelligence by developing technologies that let robots grasp objects with human-like flexibility, attracting the attention of companies like Toyota Motor with their potential to save labor. Read NextArtificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto baseGlobal Digital Summit 2026AI offers new path for Asia's manufacturers, from EVs to humanoidsArtificial intelligenceNvidia partners with Toyota's Woven City on physical AI techArtificial intelligenceJapan eyes AI-powered comeback in factory robot race with China, EuropeArtificial intelligenceJapan targets $65bn in public-private physical AI investment by 2040Artificial intelligenceHitachi to deploy code-rewriting AI for fixing factory malfunctionsArtificial intelligenceJapan college to build AI- and robot-powered city within a cityCompaniesJapan's Daifuku eyes humanoid robots for logistics sector in 3 yearsLatest on Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto baseArtificial intelligenceSamsung, SK and Nvidia join $700bn US-Korea AI pushArtificial intelligenceSouth Korea President Lee hosts US tech summit, seeks new AI era Read Next Read Next Artificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto baseGlobal Digital Summit 2026AI offers new path for Asia's manufacturers, from EVs to humanoidsArtificial intelligenceNvidia partners with Toyota's Woven City on physical AI techArtificial intelligenceJapan eyes AI-powered comeback in factory robot race with China, EuropeArtificial intelligenceJapan targets $65bn in public-private physical AI investment by 2040Artificial intelligenceHitachi to deploy code-rewriting AI for fixing factory malfunctionsArtificial intelligenceJapan college to build AI- and robot-powered city within a cityCompaniesJapan's Daifuku eyes humanoid robots for logistics sector in 3 years Artificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto base Artificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto base Global Digital Summit 2026AI offers new path for Asia's manufacturers, from EVs to humanoids Artificial intelligenceNvidia partners with Toyota's Woven City on physical AI tech Artificial intelligenceJapan eyes AI-powered comeback in factory robot race with China, Europe Artificial intelligenceJapan targets $65bn in public-private physical AI investment by 2040 Artificial intelligenceHitachi to deploy code-rewriting AI for fixing factory malfunctions Artificial intelligenceJapan college to build AI- and robot-powered city within a city CompaniesJapan's Daifuku eyes humanoid robots for logistics sector in 3 years Latest on Artificial intelligence Latest on Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto baseArtificial intelligenceSamsung, SK and Nvidia join $700bn US-Korea AI pushArtificial intelligenceSouth Korea President Lee hosts US tech summit, seeks new AI era Artificial intelligenceMitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC's Kumamoto base Artificial intelligenceSamsung, SK and Nvidia join $700bn US-Korea AI push Artificial intelligenceSouth Korea President Lee hosts US tech summit, seeks new AI era Sponsored Content Sponsored Content